“I don’t think I’ll come back, sir.”
“I don’t think so either,” he says with a nod. “You need to find yourself in life. Where your heart lies, that’s where your passion will be. This is my life.” He gestures with his hand, waving around the office. He’s right. He just fits here.
“Thank you for everything, sir. Even though this wasn’t my first choice, I’ve still found some form of camaraderie here.” It’s the truth. I found a friendship with Grim that I never thought I would. I came here with a closed mind, but over the months, I’ve allowed myself to enjoy his company.
“Let me know when the funeral is. I’d like to pay my respects.”
I nod. “I will, sir.” Rising from the chair, I offer my hand to Renard, who shakes it with a steel grip. “Thank you, sir.” When I turn to leave, I realize that two emotions are currently racing through me—my excitement to see Autumn and my sadness at having to bury my father.
Chapter Twelve
JD
Stepping foot off the plane at JFK feels surreal. New York looks and feels different. Even as I slip into the backseat of the town car, I’m bombarded with memories that I know Autumn has had to live with. In the blur of emotions since hearing my father is dead, I’ve focused on preparations for the funeral, with my mother on the phone nonstop over the past twenty-four hours.
Now that I’m back, the only place I want to go is to Mrs. Starling’s apartment to see Autumn, but instead of heading there, the driver takes me home. It no longer feels like home, but I have to see my mother.
I pull out my new cell phone as we weave through the shitty traffic and hit dial on Autumn’s cell number. It rings a few times, then goes to voicemail. I try it again, wondering if she’s in class or perhaps with friends. Maybe she’s seen my name flash across her screen, and she doesn’t want to talk to me. Once more, I’m met with the messaging service, so I leave a short note that I’m here and I’d love to see her.
I hang up and scroll down my contacts to the landline number, which I stored under her mom’s name. I hit dial. If I can’t get hold of Autumn, I should be able to speak to her mom. Perhaps she’ll give me some insight as to where Autumn could be. Maybe she can also tell me if my girl is angry with me. I wouldn’t blame her if she is.
“Hello?” A croaky, broken voice comes from the other side, and my heart lurches in my chest. Ice fills my veins when I hear a sniffle.
“Mrs. Starling? It’s JD, is Autumn there?”
Silence greets me, and I’m sure I lost the connection. Being so far out in the middle of nowhere doesn’t help. A crackling comes over the line, and then I hear Mrs. Starling. “Oh god, JD, where are you?” Her voice is drenched in pain.
“Is everything all right?” I ask as my body stills and chest tightens with anxiety. I don’t know why, but I know something’s amiss. It’s the same feeling I had when I saw Renard walk up to me yesterday morning. The knowing that settles inside you. Instinct rattles through me.
“She’s gone.” The line cracks on the words, and I shake my head in disbelief and irritation. Fear ices my veins; my chest tightens when she speaks the two words.
“What?”
“She’s gone. It’s been more than forty-eight hours, and the police have only started their search. JD, she’s a good girl; she wouldn’t have run away. All her things are here, she has her classes which she was enjoying, and I know even through her heartbreak, she was here, waiting for you to come back.” Mrs. Starling cries then, her sobs coming across clear over the line, and I feel my stomach drop.
“I’m back in New York, I’ll get my driver to turn around and head to you. Don’t worry; it will all be okay,” I tell her in an urgent, hushed whisper. “Please, believe me. I’ll find her.”
“Please, JD. Find my girl.”
“I will.” I hang up. Looking at the driver, I give him the address before I tap out a message to my mother informing her that I’m running late and I’ll be home soon.
Even though I should’ve gone home, Autumn is important to me. My mother is safe at the penthouse, so my priorities change instantly. I find Jackson Cole’s number and hit dial.
I wanted to call him a few days ago before I even found out about Dad, but this is becoming urgent. If there’s anyone who can help me find Autumn, it’s him.
On the fourth ring, I hear his voice. “Hello.”
“Jackson Cole, this is JD Montagu. We spoke a while ago about me joining your team.” I close my eyes and pray. I fucking pray like I have never done before.